Millville's Kessler steps down as basketball, track coach to take VP

Millville High School's Jason Kessler stepped down as girls' basketball head coach and boys' track and field head coach after he was hired as the school's vice principal by the board of education on Monday night.

Jason Kessler will start his new job as vice principal of Millville High School on Tuesday.

In order to do so, he has stepped down as the school's girls' basketball head coach and boys' track and field head coach.

Kessler, 33, was hired to the administrative position by the board of education on Monday night.

"Telling the kids that I was leaving as their coach was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do," Kessler said. "As a coach, you're always trying to be a constant to these kids in their lives while they are here before they move on. Now, I'm the one moving on, but I won't be far away."

Kessler resurrected the girls' basketball program during his decade-long tenure as head coach. Hired in the midst of a 56-game losing streak, Kessler built the Thunderbolts into a perennial power.

Over his final two seasons, the team accumulated a 37-15 record, including a 19-1 mark in conference and two titles. The Bolts went 20-6 this winter which included a berth in the Cape-Atlantic League Tournament semifinal round and a win in the South Jersey Group 4 tournament, the team's first since 2014.

"I'm very proud of what the girls who played in this program were able to accomplish," said Kessler, who posted a 108-135 career record and was The Daily Journal's Coach of the Year last season.

Kessler was a coach in the track and field program for 12 seasons, including the last five at the helm. He was The Daily Journal's Coach of the Year in 2015 after guiding the team to a 5-2-1 mark and a Cumberland County team championship.

"Jason did wonderful things for both of these programs," Millville Athletic Director Dave LaGamba said. "The amount of dedication Jason put into both of his coaching positions was always evident. It's who he is, it's what Jason does. You give a task to Jason and he would find a way to succeed.

"It's a tough day for the athletic department because we lose a great head coach for two sports, but I'm so happy for him. He really deserves the promotion."

Kessler said that he had two interviews for the new position in recent weeks, both happening on game days.

"That made it a little bit more challenging when it was getting the team ready to play," he said. "Everything came together quickly though. I sat down with my family and people close to me and made the decision to accept the position."